THE BILLIONAIRE'S COLD DEAL

Chapter 1: The Beginning

Samantha POV

"Another glass of alcohol, please."

The words slipped from my lips as my head tilted back helplessly.

"Another..." I smiled faintly, pain slicing straight through me.

They say alcohol heals all wounds, but I guess mine is far too deep for it to touch.

When I look back at my life, I honestly wonder how I ended up this way. Where did that vibrant little girl, full of dreams and hope disappear to? How did my life become a stronger mess with each passing day after the death of my parents?

It's been five fucking years, and I, Samantha Williams still haven't healed.

Somehow, I blame myself for their deaths. If I hadn't insisted on celebrating my birthday at the beach, they wouldn't have gotten into that accident. They wouldn't have died so brutally.

We weren't rich, but we were comfortable and happy. My parents could get me anything I wanted without feeling the weight of it. We never struggled to eat. Food was always in excess, and their little shop was steadily growing.

After their death, I took over the business and worked my ass off to keep it alive. But life was cruel. Two years later, the shop burned to ashes, and since then, my life has been nothing but chaos.

"I said another round of alcohol... or are you deaf?" I smiled sleepily again, jolting back to reality "Why don't you listen? Do I need a microphone to make myself clear?"

I slammed my palm against the table, the loud thud echoing through the club.

"Don't frustrate-"

"Here, ma. Sorry for the delay," the waiter interrupted, placing the glass in front of me.

I looked up at him and smiled weakly.

"That's more like it. Good boy."

"You shouldn't be that loud. This isn't your house." An agitated voice came from behind me.

I turned slowly, surprised by the sudden interruption. The club was always loud, so why was he taking my actions so personally?

"Why would you hit the table that hard?" he continued. "You startled me, and everyone else." A few people nodded in agreement.

The flashing disco lights reflected in my eyes, shutting me mute for a moment. Then anger surged.

"You don't complain about other people's misfortune, you stupid man," I snapped. I wasn't in the mood to take it easy on anyone.

"Excuse me?" he scoffed, standing up. "You're the one in the wrong here, so don't bite more than you can chew." Did he really want a fight?

His face twisted with anger and bitterness, a clear reflection of what lay beneath his heart.

Who did he think he was?

I looked at him briefly before letting out a humorless chuckle.

"So this is what this club is filled with now? Harassment?"

I stood too, my legs shaky but my rage steady. I was ready to land a punch across his face, ready to make him pay for dipping his mouth into things that didn't